Entertainment

Hot Topics:

From the fishing lines: News from the Pacifica Pier

By Jean Bartlett

Pacifica Tribune Correspondent

Posted:
07/03/2012 05:02:00 PM PDT

Updated:
07/04/2012 07:15:44 AM PDT

Anchovies are significant food source for a great number of the predatory fish who share their environment including the California Chinook salmon, Coho salmon and halibut, in addition to being important sustenance for birds including the California brown pelican.

On Thursday, June 28, Pacifica's Crab King Andy Pappas — who has been catching crab and/or fishing off the Rev. Herschell Harkins Memorial Pacifica Pier since it opened in 1973 — pointed out that it was good fishing days at the pier. The ocean was loaded with anchovies.

"On the 26th, the anchovies came in around the pier and everybody was catching a few," the fisherman said. "It's the first time the anchovies have come in, in a long time, maybe a year and a half. This is a good sign. It means the water is good, the nutrients are right." "Normally around the first of July, the salmon start coming in," Pappas continued.

"Three or four years ago, we nearly murdered them all. But just yesterday one baby salmon, about three or four inches long was caught. That's a normal size for this time of the year. So this gives us hope for salmon and salmon fishing." In 2010 it was reported that California's salmon run had shrunk by 97 percent. The reasons are many but include human modifications being made to the salmon's historic habitat for agricultural purposes. Recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that the while the endangered "Coho and Chinook salmon populations are struggling in California, thanks to habitat restoration efforts, they are starting to make a comeback." Pappas hopes that what he has seen out at the pier, bears witness to that.

Advertisement

In other news items from the pier, one fisherman reported that on Monday, June 25, he spotted a whale going past the pier missing its tail. He thought its intent was to beach itself and was quite concerned and is hoping a Tribune reader may have an update.

Several fishermen want to remind anglers that there are rules for catching Dungeness crab off the pier, which include 10 bag limit and minimum size 5-3/4 inches. This is regulated by Fish and Game officers who visit the pier and check buckets and coolers.

On Monday, June 25, several fishermen were caught with 21 undersized crabs and are paying the price. Fines are steep and can run in the thousands.

Pappas noted the Fish and Game rules are important and simple to follow and are just a part of enjoying your time at the pier. Looking up, he pointed to a squadron of pelicans flying in formation.

"That means there is plenty of bait at the pier," he beamed.

"There is not one place on the pier that is better than another," Pappas said.

"Pick a place that feels right and cast your nets. Everyone is welcome, young or old!"